Nearly 3 out of every 4 students enrolled in online school considered “economically disadvantaged,” far outpacing statewide average. African American students disproportionally impacted by cuts, according to CEPI data.

Lansing, MI –Michigan Parents for School Options (PSO-MI) today released new data highlighting the significant role Michigan’s full-time online charter public schools play in serving economically disadvantaged and African American students across the state. The data, reported to the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information and compiled by Compass Consulting Group, demonstrates the vital role of online schools in meeting the needs of some of Michigan’s most vulnerable students.  

According to the report:

·      73 percent of full-time online charter public school students are categorized as “economically disadvantaged,” far outpacing the statewide average of 54 percent.

·      24 percent of full-time online charter public school students are African American, exceeding the statewide average of 18 percent.

·      Full-time online charter public school enrollment for the 2022-23 school year was 21,131, or 1.4 percent of the state’s student population.

·      Michigan online charter public schools enroll students from 96 percent of districts across the state.

This new report comes at a critical juncture. Gov. Whitmer’s proposed School Aid Budget for FY 2025 calls for a 20 percent cut in the per-pupil funding allowance for only students enrolled in full-time online charter public schools, though the state of Michigan’s own Center for Educational Performance and Information collected the demographic data that shows the vulnerabilities of those enrolled.

“The enrollment data is clear: Michigan’s online charter public schools serve many of our state’s most vulnerable students,” said Amy Dunlap, PSO-MI board chair and online school educator. “And there’s just no way around the fact that the proposed funding cut would disproportionately impact economically disadvantaged and students of color, who rely on these schools to meet their unique needs. It’s unacceptable and disgraceful.”

The proposed budget cut overlooks the fact that online schools, despite their different infrastructure needs, incur significant costs in providing essential resources such as certified educators, one-on-one time with teachers and counselors, technology, and support services.

“The students and families who seek out our schools do so because we’re able to meet their personal learning needs, and as it turns out, a large percentage of those children happen to be some of our state’s most at-risk students,” said Dunlap. “We should be doing everything we can to prop up and support these students, not penalize them for seeking an educational environment that works best for them. Embracing equity and ensuring fairness—that has to be the message, and that’s what we expect from our lawmakers.”

Michigan Parents for School Options is an alliance of Michigan parents that support and defend parents’ right to access the best public school options for their children.